[quote="Bill D"]What is the purpose of the continue?[/quote] [quote]Event 3 - ME Auto Transition: PP | 30 frames | Abus Current | Bbus Current Continue - ME Auto Transition: PP | 10 frames | Abus Current | Bbus Current Event 4 - Pause: 32 frames[/quote] The manual says that a 'Continue' is used when "a single parameter has more than one argument." So, the ME Auto Transition Event and it's Continue are happening concurrently, as if you were triggering an animation and key signal. You'd want a Play Event and a Play Continue so that both video and key play out at the same time. In this case, the first ME Auto Transition seems to take precedence in triggering the transition. Once it finishes, as long as the Pause lasts at least 2 frames longer than the rate, the transition completes. If it's shorter, the transition will not complete and the next source will just pop on screen. The Continue line only changes the rate since as far as the switcher is concerned, it's transition essentially happened at the same time as the main Event. It doesn't matter if the rates are reversed and the main Event is shorter than the Continue, as long as the Pause is longer than the main Event rate. Lord, this is hard to explain. So, this appears to be what's happening. If there's a better explanation -- perhaps the big guns, Edwards and Ennis, have some insights -- please, chime in! [quote="Matt Saplin"]Chris... Great work on that macro![/quote] You're welcome, Matt! Glad it's working out for ya!

Chris... Great work on that macro! I built it last night, and tested it on-the-air at 11pm, and I loved it. I know exactly what you were trying to do (I did the same thing on the Kalypso), and this'll be a great solution until Sony adds attachment capability to some of the buttons in the transition module (hint-hint). ;-) Thanks, Chris. Keep up the good work! Matt

I tried this today it works great.. thanks good stuff. I had a macro that did a SS wipe (dust wipe), using 20 frames. Now it goes back to 10 so I can dissolve using auto trans. What is the purpose of the continue? I tried making this a macro by itself and doesn't seem like you can. When you go into macro editor it actually groups those two events as one. I had macros on the kalypso that did what you were originally trying to do, this scenario works I think pretty well anyway. Just build any wipes or DME wipes as macros and easier to air and changes the trans rate for you. Bill

**UPDATE on the trans type/rate Macro scenario** I had basically abandoned this, but a co-worker told me he was playing around and thought he had stumbled across a solution. He started to show me what he had discovered, but initially couldn't reproduce the effect. We put our heads together and eventually did figure out the trick. It doesn't accomplish what I initially wanted as far as being able to have unique rates set by simply selecting MIX, DME, etc., but it does solve the problem with not being able to 'reset' the rate without triggering the transition again using the 'ME Auto Transition' macro event. The new and improved macro looks like this: Event 1 - Transition Type: PP | DME Wipe Event 2 - Pause: 0 Event 3 - ME Auto Transition: PP | 30 frames | Abus Current | Bbus Current *Continue - ME Auto Transition: PP | 10 frames | Abus Current | Bbus Current Event 4 - Pause: 32 frames Event 5 - Transition Type: PP | MIX So, here the Macro changes the trans type to DME and waits for me to press TAKE which will run the DME wipe at a rate of 30 frames. Then, the *trick is to use a 'continue' with ME Auto Transition to set the rate back to my default of 10 frames. This will not actually trigger the transition which was where I was stuck before. Then, after the second pause which allows the DME trans to finish, the trans type will be set to mix and you're good to go. While this doesn't get me what I initially wanted, it does provide you a fairly quick way to set a one-shot PP rate that's more desirable for a switcher or DME wipe and reset things after the transition. You just have to trigger the transition from the flexipad as opposed to using PP AUTO TRAN button, but with so many effects being triggered from the flexipad, it's not a huge inconvenience. There ya have it!

[quote="jbs"]Instead of using snapshots however I used a one keyframe effect because the path holds are more nitty gritty on those.... I made macros to call up each of those single keyframe timelines on the p/p and attached them to the mix, wipe and dme transition buttons.[/quote] I'm not in front of a switcher right now, but as I remember, if you have a Macro call up an effect (if you want it to just change the trans rate on a particular ME), doesn't the Run button now change to be ready to Run THAT effect. My point being, if I'm doing a Sports show, I always have my Replay On effect ready to go at all times, so I can just hit Run to go into a replay. If I have a Macro call up a new effect, that just changes the trans rate on ME3 so I can do my wipe, then another Macro to call up another effect that changes the trans rate back so I can do my dissolve, I'm in an entirely new effect; so now the director calls to Replay to VT-A, I hit Run, and nothing happens. I have to remember to call up the RP effect again. If this can be done as a Snapshot, you won't run into this issue. I use Macros a lot, and this is exactly the type of thing Macros should be used for. I hate to bring up other switchers, but I do this type of thing on other switchers all the time, and it works flawlessly. Maybe just some functionality in the menu to just change trans rates through the Macros would be all that is needed, but again, it shouldn't be this difficult. Is it possible to have the Macros talk to the menu (like on other switchers)? I've been told "no," but there's gotta be a programmer out there at Sony who can make this work. --- Dan

[quote="Bob Ennis"]...most people that I know don't ever change the DSK inputs once they're set up, and I was going on that.[/quote] Yeah, the DSKs don't normally change. That being the case, I've never used XPT Hold on the P/P key bus, so it was something unfamiliar in my workflow to consider turning it on & running with it on. LOL. Plus, I'm not the only one that uses the switcher and we switch out hot throughout the day. I was hoping to have something I could offer up to everyone, but I have a feeling most won't particularly see the need. Most of the other TDs tend to run effects upstream more often. I'm always looking for "easier" ways to do things and alternate setup options to use switcher resources more efficiently, but it doesn't seem to end up being easier very often. [quote="jbs"]Sometimes the switcher would already be within a macro somewhere and that kept it from working. I guess it wasn't an elegant enough solution for me.[/quote] That's a good point, as we're running P/P animated transitions via Macro and occassionally have communication issues from switcher to DNF/Server -- that's the subject of another thread I need to post! I'd hate to get in a situation that I burn myself more often just to get different downstream trans rates.

I've been eyeballing this thread with the same questions. I did a workaround to this a few weeks ago to test it out. I wanted a different trans rate for mix, wipe and dme. Instead of using snapshots however I used a one keyframe effect because the path holds are more nitty gritty on those. I either held/turned off EVERYTHING and it still gave me a trans rate change, or I might have had one path not held/turned off to get that - I can't remember right now since I'm not in front of the switcher. I made macros to call up each of those single keyframe timelines on the p/p and attached them to the mix, wipe and dme transition buttons. I'd then normally select a transition then hit auto-trans. It worked okay, but I abandoned it after a couple weeks of trying it out. Sometimes the switcher would already be within a macro somewhere and that kept it from working. I guess it wasn't an elegant enough solution for me.

No, I think that you're right about having to manually turn on the XPT HOLD buttons. I assumed that you would be doing that anyway - most people that I know don't ever change the DSK inputs once they're set up, and I was going on that.

Thanks, Bob. I tried your suggestion and it does work, but it looks like you have to manually turn on the XPT Hold button for whatever keys you want to 'not' affect, assuming Key Disable with Status is on - Pg 7335. It doesn't appear as if the Snapshot>Attribute XPT Hold function is able to consider key status. Am I missing something?

OK, I checked this macro thing back here in the studio. You're absolutly right...it forces a transition & there's no way to stop the transition from happening. So I would think that the next best thing would be to build a series of snapshots (with input holds and with the Key Disable with Status ON to prevent any keys that are on or off from being affected). Then use macros to recall these snapshots & then attach the macros to the wipe, mix, etc. buttons. It's not as elegant as just being able to record actual transition rates, but it should work.

[quote="Rick Edwards"]You can't bookmark that page. There's an automatic logon that takes place when you enter If you try to bookmark it it thinks you're trying to go the root directory of Sony's main FTP server, which I'm guessing is a no-no. RE[/quote] I'm on a Mac -- for me, it remembers the Sony FTP link under 'Recent Items' and 'Servers'. Unlike the automatic logon that you guys saw, the Mac asks me for a username (switcher) and password (left this one blank). I just looked and saw that I did have it bookmarked on my old PC, but kept the user name as part of the ftp link, so I never had trouble going back to the site. Food for thought. Matt

You can't bookmark that page. There's an automatic logon that takes place when you enter If you try to bookmark it it thinks you're trying to go the root directory of Sony's main FTP server, which I'm guessing is a no-no. RE

[quote="Chris Bade"]That's strange. I went back to the site and I am now seeing the same thing you are seeing. I dunno. Chris Bade WTVF[/quote] thank god.. thought I was stupid or crazy Bill

That's strange. I went back to the site and I am now seeing the same thing you are seeing. I dunno. Chris Bade WTVF

[quote="Chris Bade"]Put ftp:// on the front. It worked for me using internet explorer. I've had trouble using firefox before. Chris Bade WTVF Nashville[/quote] Ok, I was there then. This is what I saw there 06/08/2003 12:00AM 0 TAG3 08/29/1999 12:00AM Directory bin 03/27/2000 12:00AM Directory bpc 08/29/1999 12:00AM Directory consumer 05/04/2000 12:00AM Directory dma-sys 08/29/1999 12:00AM Directory pub I was able to find a list of manuals under bpc/sony software, but none of the current switchers.

[quote="XLNTeditor"]Does Thomson have a similar FTP site? I woiuld like to download the manuals for Kalypso and Kayak. They are a great reference.[/quote] I probably shouldn't post it in this forum, but Grass Valley's site is: Matt

Put ftp:// on the front. It worked for me using internet explorer. I've had trouble using firefox before. Chris Bade WTVF Nashville

[quote="XLNTeditor"][quote="Rick Edwards"]You can always go to: switcher@ftp.sony.com and download the latest manuals. I think the latest is 6.10 RE[/quote] The link worked for me. Very helpful. Does Thomson have a similar FTP site? I woiuld like to download the manuals for Kalypso and Kayak. They are a great reference.[/quote] So I can operate a complicated, highly engineered, expensive broadcast product but I can't navigate the internet. Nice. :) I get a weird error, 'windows cannot find switcher@ftp.sony.com check the spelling and try again' not the typical can't find the website error. I will try at work tomorrow, or ask my kids to try it.. thanks Bill

[quote="Rick Edwards"]You can always go to: switcher@ftp.sony.com and download the latest manuals. I think the latest is 6.10 RE[/quote] The link worked for me. Very helpful. Does Thomson have a similar FTP site? I woiuld like to download the manuals for Kalypso and Kayak. They are a great reference.

[quote="Bill D"][quote="Rick Edwards"]You can always go to: switcher@ftp.sony.com and download the latest manuals. I think the latest is 6.10 RE[/quote] Rick, this address doesn't seem to work. I found a FTP site, but nothing that looks like switchers..well I found a DVS 7250 Bill[/quote] Bill, I was able to follow the link, and then used "switcher" as the login name with no password. You should see a window that has about 8 folders in it, one of which is for "Operator Manuals". In the "Operator Manuals" folder are various switcher folders that contain PDF files of operator manuals. I hope that helps...not sure what might have gone wrong! Matt

[quote="Rick Edwards"]You can always go to: switcher@ftp.sony.com and download the latest manuals. I think the latest is 6.10 RE[/quote] Rick, this address doesn't seem to work. I found a FTP site, but nothing that looks like switchers..well I found a DVS 7250 Bill

[quote="Matt Saplin"]I had some that I made for the Kalypso that worked well...simply changed the auto trans rate to 10 frames when you hit mix, 25 frames for wipe 1, and 5 frames for a user wipe for a white flash. Simple, yet very handy.[/quote] That's really what I want to accomplish. I mentioned in an earlier post, that if you go to the MISC function on the menu for any M/E or P/P, and select the various Transition Types, you can then set the Transition Rate. Currently, the rate ends up being the same for all types, based upon whatever the last rate you set. It does seems like the foundation is there to build in functionality so that the rate could be different for each trans type. Perhaps, if you set it via on the Numeric keypad area, that would affect all rates and if you wanted to specify a different rate for different trans types, you'd have to go into the menu. I'd love it if that were possible!

[quote="Matt Saplin"]Adding to my frustration, I have my materials from the training that I took back in 2002 -- MACROS AREN'T EVEN IN THE MANUAL from that point in time, so I know that macros are fairly recent in the development of the MVS/DVS. Matt[/quote] No need to be frustrated. You can always go to: switcher@ftp.sony.com and download the latest manuals. I think the latest is 6.10 RE

[quote="Bill D"]Matt you mean the flexi pad functions are not macroable? You can have a macro call up different snap shots or DME effects, etc through flexi pads correct? Pretty much what you would use a shotbox for, but suppose if you didn't want to use a shotbox. Or am I misunderstanding? Bill[/quote] I think you are following my thought, Bill. You are correct that the flexipads can be used as a shotbox (to run macros, timelines, etc.), but to learn a macro that simply goes to ME3 and follows the keystrokes of "SNAPSHOT", "BANK SEL", "8" on the flexipad will not work. Adding to my frustration, I have my materials from the training that I took back in 2002 -- MACROS AREN'T EVEN IN THE MANUAL from that point in time, so I know that macros are fairly recent in the development of the MVS/DVS. Matt

[quote="Matt Saplin"][quote="Bill D"]Does anyone know if sony plans on adding those buttons (numeric keypad) to be able to be macro'd? That way you could just type in a trans rate as a macro. Also how about inserting macros in a timeline or macroing menu functions? Seems like that would bring it up to speed with the other switchers.. Bill[/quote] That would be a handy feature for Sony to add. Something else that I'd like to see is the ability to macro buttons/functions on the flexipads. I was hoping to build a macro that could be part of my master snapshot that simply sets all of the snapshot registers in the MEs to bank 8 -- just one less thing for me to do when I sit down. But the flexipad buttons are not macroable at this point in time. Matt[/quote] Matt you mean the flexi pad functions are not macroable? You can have a macro call up different snap shots or DME effects, etc through flexi pads correct? Pretty much what you would use a shotbox for, but suppose if you didn't want to use a shotbox. Or am I misunderstanding? Bill

[quote="Bill D"]Does anyone know if sony plans on adding those buttons (numeric keypad) to be able to be macro'd? That way you could just type in a trans rate as a macro. Also how about inserting macros in a timeline or macroing menu functions? Seems like that would bring it up to speed with the other switchers.. Bill[/quote] That would be a handy feature for Sony to add. Something else that I'd like to see is the ability to macro buttons/functions on the flexipads. I was hoping to build a macro that could be part of my master snapshot that simply sets all of the snapshot registers in the MEs to bank 8 -- just one less thing for me to do when I sit down. But the flexipad buttons are not macroable at this point in time. I, too, had difficulty with the auto trans macros -- I'm hoping that Bob finds a cool workaround. I had some that I made for the Kalypso that worked well...simply changed the auto trans rate to 10 frames when you hit mix, 25 frames for wipe 1, and 5 frames for a user wipe for a white flash. Simple, yet very handy. Matt

Does anyone know if sony plans on adding those buttons (numeric keypad) to be able to be macro'd? That way you could just type in a trans rate as a macro. Also how about inserting macros in a timeline or macroing menu functions? Seems like that would bring it up to speed with the other switchers.. Bill

OK - I'll see if I can find a back door to this when I get in to the studio on Monday.

I tried selecting PP xpt# as the final input, but no dice.

OK, I see what you're looking for...my mistake for not reading your text fully. I'm not in front of the switcher right now, only the simulator - so I'm trying a guess here. What you COULD try is to enter the crosspoint numbers of the M/E that you're on as the last of the inputs in the Off-Line Edit menu. This is currently an illegal condition on the SONY (hopefully that'll change), and so it MIGHT fool the system into running the macro until it gets to the illegal condition, which would cancel out the actual condition. As I said, I'm guessing here - let me know if this does or doesnt work - when I get back in front of a system next week I'll see if there are any back-door things that might circumvent your problem.

Thanks, Bob. [quote="Bob Ennis"]So you can set the rate as one event.[/quote] [quote="Bob Ennis"]If you want to reset the trans rate at the end... add a pause after triggering the M/E's wipe... then insert another Trans Rate setting as described above. That'll automatically set the Trans Rate back to whatever you want as the last function of the macro.[/quote] For ME Auto Transition, you have to set the region, time, and A/B bus crosspoints. I can't seem to find a way to skip setting crosspoints after I set the time. This event, while allowing a trans rate setting also triggers the transition. This is a problem when I want to go back to my default trans rate/type. Here's a breakdown of my Macro's events: 1) Pause: 2 frames (needed this because of odd flash at start of transition) 2) Transition Type: PP | DME 3) ME Auto Transition: PP | 27 frames | Abus Current | Bbus Current 4) Pause: 30 frames 5) Transition Type: PP | MIX So, this Macro will change the trans type to DME and run the transition and change the trans type back to MIX, but I'm still on a 27 frame trans rate. It seems like the only way to adjust that time within the Macro (back to my default 10 frame trans rate) is using a ME Auto Transition event. Adding that as Event 6, triggers a 10 frame dissolve after the DME wipe, which I don't want, at least not at that particular moment.

Setting the Trans rate in the Off Line Edit Menu is done like this: Event - Set ME Auto Transition - Set ME 1, 2, 3, or PP - Set Input Frame - dial in the frame numbers with the 4th knob - Set So you can set the rate as one event. If you want to reset the trans rate at the end of the DDR effect, add a pause after triggering the M/E's wipe - for example if the wipe takes 2 seconds to do it's thing insert a pause in the macro for 2:01 & then insert another Trans Rate setting as described above. That'll automatically set the Trans Rate back to whatever you want as the last function of the macro.

[quote="oterbor"]Why don?t you built a snapshot with the proper transitions rates for each type of transition. On top of that make sure XPT hold is ON for every bus in the snapshot attribute menu. Later this snapshot can be recalled form the shotbox.[/quote] Yeah, that's an option. The issue there is, despite crosspoint holds, key status would be saved with the snapshot. So, I might have to have different combinations so that I'm not losing/adding keys. It might be a good feature request to be able to have different trans rates. Currently, if you set the transition rate via the menu, each transition type has a button, but whatever you set affects all of them. Seems like it could be an easy change to build in that functionality.

Why don?t you built a snapshot with the proper transitions rates for each type of transition. On top of that make sure XPT hold is ON for every bus in the snapshot attribute menu. Later this snapshot can be recalled form the shotbox.

Thanks, Bob. I looked into that in the offline edit menu, but I can't find a function that ONLY sets the transition rate. It appears as if setting that time is tied to actually making the transition. Am I missing something or is that how you understand it to be? If that's the case, I could actually trigger the transition with the macro, but then there's no way to have the macro then reset the transition rate back to a 10 frame MIX since it would again require the transition to happen to get that rate change. Make sense?

Something that was suggested on another topic in another thread; rather than use the numeric keypad to enter the trans rate, if you use the OFF LINE MACRO EDITOR (Menu page 7412.2), you can build macros that apply different trans rates. Then use these macros as the post-attachments that you suggested. That should work for you.